England's 6 Nations Squad

Eddie Jones has announced his England squad ahead of the 2017 RBS 6 Nations.

The 34-man squad will train in Portugal between 22-27 January before assembling at Pennyhill Park to prepare for their opening match against France at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday 4 February (kick-off 4.50pm, live on ITV).

Jones has named three uncapped players in a squad made up of 20 forwards and 14 backs. Back-row forward Mike Williams (Leicester Tigers) is included alongside prop Nathan Catt (Bath Rugby) and back Alex Lozowski (Saracens)

“I’ve been impressed with the three uncapped players named in the squad," said Jones.

"They’re all guys who have great physical capabilities and they all have a desire to improve. With a number of injuries to some key players it’s a great opportunity for them."

There are also returns for James Haskell (Wasps), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby), Jack Clifford (Harlequins) and Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs) who were unavailable for selection during the autumn.

“It’s good to welcome back a number of players who weren’t with us during the autumn," said Jones.

"This time last year I said that the long-term strategy for England is to develop a side who can be the most dominant team in world rugby. Obviously I’ve been pleased with how the team’s progressing, but there’s still plenty to improve on."

Backroom addition
Joining Jones’ backroom team will be visual awareness coach Dr Sherylle Calder, who will work with the team on a consultancy basis.

Dr Calder, who helps improve players’ peripheral vision, their reaction times and co-ordination, has been involved with two Rugby World Cup winning teams and has worked with a number of high-profile athletes across a multitude of different sports.
“2017 for us is about building really strong foundations for the team and making sure our fundamental skills are improving,” said Jones.

“Part of that is hand-eye co-ordination and our ability to handle the ball adroitly - Dr Sherylle Calder is an expert in that field.

“She has won two gold medals, 2003 with England and 2007 with South Africa, I used her extensively when I coached in Japan and had success with her then. I think she is really going to add an edge to the players’ preparation.”

No 7&1/2 wrote:What is your current ideal lineup at present?

GF, no don't think he's too lightweight at all he's come on leaps and bounds in his overall game as well.

beshocked wrote:Road runner played well in the AIs but Nowell is the better defender.

May could benefit more from being an impact player.

Also the issue is that May's a better bench option than Nowell, if Nowell doesn't start IMO it's hard to put him in the 23.

That's my ideal set up, I know Eddie won't pick it.

Slade also covers more positions than Teo.

beshocked wrote:

For once I'd like to see England picking the hooker and the lineout caller together. Crazy isn't it? Picking players who've worked a lot at the same club. You also get that if Hartley and Lawes are on the bench.

beshocked wrote:

For once I'd like to see England picking the hooker and the lineout caller together. Crazy isn't it? Picking players who've worked a lot at the same club. You also get that if Hartley and Lawes are on the bench.

cascough wrote:

beshocked wrote:

For once I'd like to see England picking the hooker and the lineout caller together. Crazy isn't it? Picking players who've worked a lot at the same club. You also get that if Hartley and Lawes are on the bench.

You've used this logic to criticise Lancaster's selections and Tom Youngs' before. Now you're saying it's a good idea.

majesticimperialman wrote:Who is England 's back up to full back? I know Watson can play/cover full back. But what about Alex Lowozky (  spelling) is he a full back in waiting, or is he more of a centre/ flyhalf?

majesticimperialman wrote:Who is England 's back up to full back? I know Watson can play/cover full back. But what about Alex Lowozky (  spelling) is he a full back in waiting, or is he more of a centre/ flyhalf?

No 7&1/2 wrote:No guns.

Option there of him, Watson, Day or Nowell maj?

Rugby Fan wrote:Nick Bishop (once an an analyst for Gatland and Lancaster) has some thoughts on England's midfield, which he says is small by international standards.

http://www.theroar.com.au/2017/01/25/will-englands-small-men-stand-six-nations/

In short, he believes other sides may be more aware of the defensive weaknesses which have shown up in matches under Jones.

No 7&1/2 wrote:Hartley confirmed as captain.

No 7&1/2 wrote:Hartley confirmed as captain.

Rugby Fan wrote:

In short, he believes other sides may be more aware of the defensive weaknesses which have shown up in matches under Jones.

No 7&1/2 wrote:Hartley confirmed as captain.

Gooseberry wrote:

Rugby Fan wrote:

In short, he believes other sides may be more aware of the defensive weaknesses which have shown up in matches under Jones.

Sides other than the ones they've beaten with said defensive weaknesses?

Its always a trade off, but frankly its a good move away form the days that England were selecting a midfield on its ability to walk into opposing players with force. Its not like Farrell cant /wont tackle either ... he has a habit of picking up yellows but gets stuck in and punches above his weight defensivley. Whilst You could argue that Jospeh can be targettted by big strike runners he makes up for that with his mobility ... as evidenced in the Agrentina game. The ground he covered was incerebidle.
As has been noted Plan B focuses on guys like Te'o and if he were ever fit Tuillagi. This is a change from the previous decade when its largely been that type starting to keep things tight and the flair players unleashed later. For all that it carries risk it has worked brilliantly for Jones so far, and if the likes of Aus etc hadnt picked up on it and developed an effective plan for exploiting it after the last 6 nations and summer tour then I dont see it as a huge issue that Italy are suddenly going to unerath two highly skilled 18 stone Samoans who once ate a pizza to play as crash ball centers.

Equally Jones is aware of the defensive issues (having grouched publically), and will no doubt be looking how to counter teams running through them. The mobile pack undoubtably part of that. But so long as they are scoring more than the oppsoition its not a bad thing to see them playing without fear and picking sides to be effective rather than to nullify the opposition as has happened too often in the past, funnily enough under Lancaster (despite all the stick he gave Johnson for doing it)..... maybe he was following Bishops advice on that?

So yeah its a thing, but its also not a thing. Yes ideally Farrell would be exactly how he is but with the physiquer of Itoje, then all the commentry team could fawn over his size and magnifcent tackle (giggle).

TL/DR England arent perfect. They are still better than the teams they have been beating for a year.

Scottrf wrote:Australia did cut through out defence at times, but it wasn't by overpowering our weaklings in the midfield, it was using pace of play to get the ball out wide quickly. Bit of a simplistic view IMO, not the biggest guys but decent defenders.

Gooseberry wrote:TL/DR England arent perfect. They are still better than the teams they have been beating for a year.

Scottrf wrote:Australia did cut through out defence at times, but it wasn't by overpowering our weaklings in the midfield, it was using pace of play to get the ball out wide quickly. Bit of a simplistic view IMO, not the biggest guys but decent defenders.

Scottrf wrote:Too long, didn't read.

TLDR: A summary.